The Bentley Buzz

This week, the ambassador of the Kingdom of Bahrain to the United States Shaikh Abdullah bin Rashid Al Khalifa ’01, MBA ’03 returned to campus for an armchair conversation with President Chrite on the relationship between business and government. Speaking to an audience of students, faculty and staff in Wilder Pavilion, the ambassador recounted how his time on campus helped prepare him for his current work strengthening economic and geopolitical ties in the Middle East and beyond.

Ambassador Khalifa, who was appointed to the role in 2017, graduated from Bentley with a BS in Management in 2001 before becoming a double Falcon after earning his MBA in 2003. On his last visit to campus in 2017, he credited Bentley’s on-campus education model for teaching him to trust and collaborate with his peers.

President Chrite, who has spent time in the Middle East and worked to strengthen economic conditions and improve business education opportunities for people around the world, asked the ambassador about the role of education in Bahrain’s “Economic Vision 2023,” which outlines a strategy to transform the country from a “regional pioneer to global contender.” 

“Forward-thinking goals must be tied to the community’s most important resource, which is human capital,” said President Chrite, commending the ambassador on the country's “hugely ambitious” goals, which include reducing carbon emissions by 30% by 2035 and doubling household income by 2030. 

“We have been true believers in education,” said the ambassador, adding that Bahrain is known for its “high level of professionalism within its human capital” and is committed to bringing college graduates back to their home country. Human capital is the “richest” factor in a country’s progress, said the ambassador: “We invest in our youth. We are committed to making sure there is a pool of knowledge that is giving back in various capacities … education is definitely the way forward.”

The armchair conversation was hosted by President of the Graduate Student Association Mahwash Hoti MBA ’23, MSBA ’23, who said it was inspiring to see where a Bentley degree can take you. “The ambassador spoke about how his Bentley MBA equipped him with the skills he needed to have tough conversations in a productive and professional manner,” said Mahwash. “As a current MBA candidate, that showed me how my MBA skills can be applied to non-traditional business roles such as his.”

Before their discussion, Ambassador Khalifa and President Chrite had a chance to connect with students as they made their way to Wilder Pavilion. “I’ve always been incredibly interested in diplomacy and international relations, and hearing the ambassador talk about his experiences at Bentley and after college was really helpful,” said Colton Destrampe ’24, a Student Government Association senator and Economics-Finance major. “Especially as I get closer and closer to graduation, to see someone who has succeeded and thrived in a similar college environment will be something I will carry with me throughout my academic and professional career.”

Read More about the Armchair Conversation

On Oct. 17 from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., faculty and staff are invited to join a livestreamed panel discussion in which President Chrite and Boston-area business leaders discuss the findings of the Bentley - Gallup Force for Good Survey. This first survey from our multi-year partnership with Gallup will help us to understand how Americans feel business is doing to make a positive impact on society. The nationwide survey of more than 5,000 Americans includes answers to questions like, “Do most Americans believe business has a positive impact on society?” and “What’s more important for a company to do – increase profits or make the world a better place?”

President Chrite will be joined on the panel by Liberty Mutual Executive Vice President and Chief Administrative Officer (and Bentley trustee) Melanie Foley, MBA '02; State Street CEO Ron O’Hanley; and Deloitte Deputy CEO of Strategic Initiatives Alicia Rose. Gallup will also provide an overview of the survey results and insights into how the report will help guide the future of good business.

Register for the Livestream

Our Falcons and new head coach Alvin Reynolds secured their first win of the football season during their home opener earlier this month, defeating Pace University 41-20. The win was memorable, not only because it was Coach Reynolds’ first, but because it came on a day when the entire community celebrated 50 years of football at Bentley. Alumni, former players, faculty, staff, students and families gathered before the game to tailgate and celebrate the five decades of Falcon football.

Included in the day's festivities was the launch of the campaign to dedicate Peter Yetten Field as the home of Falcons football, honoring Coach Yetten who was at the helm of Bentley football for nearly 30 years. The successful campaign will support a brand new video score board honoring Coach Yetten, and will be officially dedicated in fall 2023. Coach Yetten was in attendance to watch the Falcons' impressive victory. Following the game, Director of Athletics Vaughn Williams presented Coach Reynolds with his first game ball as head coach of the Falcons. Check out scenes from the day and Vaughn's locker room speech below!

Hear the Locker Room Speech

The first annual Falcon Field Day brought students together for an afternoon of activities and ice cream as Athletics continues to celebrate their new look and feel. Hundreds of students stopped by the Student Center back patio for free hats, shirts and other great SWAG donning the new look Bentley Falcon. The event was hosted jointly by Athletics and Marketing and Communications, and even featured a hand-painted mural created by members of the MarComm creative services team! Check out the scenes from the event below, and keep an eye out for more ways to celebrate the new Athletics look throughout the year. 

As a reminder, on Sept. 27 from 2:00 to 3:15 p.m. in the Wilder Pavilion, the Office of Sustainability and partnering offices will bring real estate developer, urban revitalization strategy consultant, MacArthur Fellow and Peabody Award-winning broadcaster Majora Carter to campus to deliver a keynote address marking the launch of Bentley's Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. Majora has long used business to transform communities and notably has worked to revitalize her South Bronx community and provide economic opportunity for its residents while focusing on environmental justice. During the address, Majora will talk about how she's kept the environment at the forefront of her community-driven work.

Learn More about the Climate Action Plan

Faculty and Staff Appreciation Football Game
Today, Friday, Sept. 23, is Faculty and Staff Appreciation Night! Gates open at 4:30 p.m. and the first 100 faculty and staff members to arrive with a student will receive a free hoodie. Make sure to reserve your free tickets before kickoff! 

Jailen Branch Receives National "Good Works" Honor
Fifth-year senior and two-time team captain Jailen Branch was chosen as one of 22 members of the 31st Allstate AFCA Good Works Team, which recognizes football student-athletes for outstanding contributions off the field. Branch last year helped establish the Bentley Black Student Athletes as part of the university's racial justice plan. He is the first Bentley student-athlete to receive this prestigious recognition. 

Women's Soccer Defeats New Haven 3-0 on Senior Night
The women's soccer team celebrated its Senior Night in style with a 3-0 victory over NE-10 opponent New Haven at home. Three different players scored in the shutout win. They've since won their second straight on the road in a shutout against American International.